New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today warned consumers to not consume “unpasteurized” raw milk from the Jerry Dell Farm, Inc. at 41 Fall Creek Road, Freeville, Tompkins County, New York because it could possibly be contaminated with Salmonella. To date, no illnesses associated with the product have been reported to the Department.

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A routine sample of the milk was tested by the Department and discovered to be contaminated with Salmonella. On November 18, 2015 the producer was notified of a preliminary positive test result and agreed to stop selling raw milk. A permitted raw milk farm cannot resume sales of raw milk until a subsequent sample indicates it is free of pathogens.

Jerry Dell Farm holds a Department permit, which allows the business to sell raw milk at the farm. Sampling is performed quarterly under the division’s routine surveillance program.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea which may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

The Department recommends that any consumers who purchased raw milk from Jerry Dell Farm to immediately dispose of it and call the Department at 518-457-1772 if they have any questions.

It is important to note that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization, which eliminates all pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella. Producers who sell raw milk to consumers must have a permit to do so from the Department, must sell directly to consumers on the farm where the milk is produced and must post a notice at the point of sale indicating that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization.